System and method for tissue characterization using multislice magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

An MRI method includes: performing a first data acquisition block of a pulse sequence to acquire a first MR data from a plurality of slices of a subject during a period of fully recovered longitudinal magnetization within the plurality of slices disposed at different locations in the subject; performing a second data acquisition block of the pulse sequence including a magnetization preparation module followed by a recovery period and an imaging sequence executed during the recovery period, to acquire a second MR data from the plurality of slices during the recovery period; and generating a T1 map of the subject based on the first MR data and the second MR data, of the plurality of slices.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 991,033, filed May 9, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field[0003]Apparatuses and methods consistent with exemplary embodiments relate to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and, more particularly, to T1 tissue characterization using a multi-slice imaging.[0004]2. Related Art[0005]When a substance such as human tissue is subjected to a uniform magnetic field, i.e., a static magnetic field B0, the individual magnetic moments of the nuclear spins in the tissue attempt to align with the static magnetic field B0, but precess about it in random order at their characteristic Larmor frequency. A net magnetization moment Mz is generated in the direction of the static magnetic field B0, but the randomly oriented magnetic components in the perpendicular plane, i.e., transverse x-y plane, cancel one another. If,...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a method and apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that allows for free-breathing and volumetric coverage of the entire ventricle by interleaving data acquisition of different unperturbed slices during the recovery time of adjacent slices. This is achieved through a slice-interleaved T1-based pulse sequence that includes a single inversion of longitudinal magnetization followed by a corresponding recovery period using slice-selective excitation pulses. The technique allows for improved image quality and reduced motion artifacts, resulting in improved clinical diagnosis and treatment outcomes.

Problems solved by technology

However, to overcome the problem of time-consuming long rest periods between the inversion pulses, MOLLI samples the longitudinal magnetization recovery curve multiple times after a single magnetization preparation pulse, which hinders the accuracy.

Thus, MOLLI suffers from inaccurate T1 estimates due to the heart rate, sensitivity to T2 times, and magnetization transfer dependencies.

However, these sequences still suffer from inaccurate measurements leading to underestimated T1 of a healthy myocardium by up to approximately 30 percent.

However, a single value might not characterize the regional myocardial tissue composition over the entire ventricle.

This requires numerous breath-holds, which inconvenience the patients.

Also, the exemplary embodiments are not required to overcome the disadvantages described above, and may not overcome any of the problems described above.

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